Next up on the UDO idea’s list presentation: Neighborhood Mixed Use.  Here’s the “What?”, “Why?” and “Where?”

- WHAT IS IT? Allows neighborhood-compatible uses:

• Small commercial uses (size limits)
• Above-shop flats or offices
• Live-work

- WHY? Existing zoning allows stores that are too large for a neighborhood setting and do not support mixed-uses or live-work uses.
- WHERE? Only available for future rezoning.

Located near the conclusion of a letter to the community from Superintendent Phyllis Edwards regarding school closings last Monday and Tuesday…

The first make-up day will be March 10th, which was previously a Teacher Workday.  Now we will have school for students on that Monday.   I am aware that many of you make plans early for the February and Spring breaks.  To every extent possible, I am trying to leave those days intact. The second day will be Thursday, May 29th with the post-planning day moved to Friday, May 30th for teachers.

Oakhurst Village, Decatur GA (Photo courtesy of Kerri)

Whenever HOST money is brought up, no one says much.  I think it’s mostly because it’s such a messy ball of red tape and “complicated” calculations that for most it’s just not worth the time trying to understand.  But for those who have enjoyed following the HOST litigation with the county over the last decade or so, here’s an interesting little epilogue.

Reporter Newspapers had a report last week (h/t Decaturish) stating that another effect of adding new cities in DeKalb County would mean smaller HOST allocations for existing cities.  Why?  Chalk it up to that “complicated formula that includes the value of the area’s tax base and the services it receives from DeKalb County.”  So there you have it.

According to the article, last year Decatur received $3,729,679, the third largest amount of HOST money behind Dunwoody and Brookhaven.  Previous year’s allocations had been used to partially fund the renovation of the Rec Center and there was talk of using it to repair sidewalks, etc.

So there you have it.  DeKalb cities lost the long lawsuit vs. the county about unpaid HOST money a couple years back and now it seems the current allocation may soon become smaller.

It’s Monday.  Grab your cup o’ joe and learn a little something extra about your neighborhood and city this morning.

Check out this great map overlay by Jack Kittle of 1927-1930 topographic maps of the Atlanta area laid on top of a current “Open Streets” map of the city. In addition to being a very good look at Decatur’s topography, you can also easily make out the city’s existing roads and buildings during that three year period.

Comment with your observations!

h/t: Peter